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Hi Sifted reader,

Ever wondered what makes a unicorn founder? Today, Miriam Partington dives into a report looking at the backgrounds of the entrepreneurs behind 25 newly minted $1bn+ companies in the DACH region. So what connects them?

Also from the Sifted newsroom:

• Europe’s most active Series A investors
• Alternative forms of funding for founders
• 2xN launches $120m fund to invest in "quantum opportunities" 

— Kai, reporter & Eleanor, deputy editor

The last two years have seen the DACH region become a unicorn haven, with record levels of investment, megarounds and breakneck growth aplenty. So what's going on?

Miriam Partington dug into a recent report by VC Antler that analysed the backgrounds of founding teams from 25 new unicorns in the region. 

Here's what she found. 

A downturn looms and funding is at its lowest levels since early 2021 — but there's still plenty of VCs willing to stump up for a startup.

Using data from Dealroom, Sifted cobbled together a list of Europe’s most active Series A investors.

Can you guess the top five?

Equity used to be the name of the game when it came to startup funding. But over the last few years founders have seen an ever-increasing pool of options become available. 

From venture debt to revenue-based financing, here's what's on offer.

Building a remote-first business isn’t easy, but it can give startups a competitive edge. On August 17 we’ll reveal how to onboard your first global hire — and how to avoid conflict between office and remote workers. Hurry, it's this week!

Don’t miss this.

London-based VC 2xN is hedging its bets on "quantum opportunities" — which includes quantum startups and four areas it believes will be significantly impacted by the tech: mobility, collaboration, marketplaces and edtech.

It's 2xN's second fund, and the money will be spent on 20 to 25 deals across Europe and the US, from pre-seed to Series A.

Clara Rodríguez Fernández finds out more.

Sifted Summit 2022 | London | October 5-6
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🇨🇭 VC funding in Switzerland has risen for the last four years and, alongside Sweden, the country has birthed the most unicorns per capita in Europe. So with all that tech talent knocking about, which companies should you be keeping an eye on? Here are nine Swiss startups that VCs have their eyes on. 

The best of the rest of Europe's ones to watch (member):

👩‍🏫 12 edtech startups you need on your radar

💻 13 European Web3 startups to watch

🇬🇷 10 Greek deeptechs that have investors excited

🎙️ Plus, the latest episode of the Sifted Podcast is out now — Eleanor and guest host Anisah talk Klarna shares, Pollen's problems and Elon Musk's cash for carbon capture. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Kai Nicol-Schwarz

Reporter

Get in touch with him at kai@sifted.eu 
Or @NicolSchwarzK

Eleanor Warnock

Deputy Editor 

Get in touch with her at eleanor@sifted.eu
Or tweeting @misssaxbys

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